The Met Office confirmed that the mercury soared to a 2016 high of 20.8C (69.4F) in both St James Park in central London, and Northolt, north London, on Thursday lunchtime - just eight days after much of the country endured snow.

The figures beat the previous highest mark this year of 20.3C (68.5F) recorded at Porthmadog, Wales, back on 21 April.

But the Met Office says Thursday’s temperatures will be put in the shade over the weekend as warm tropical air arrives from southern Europe.

Met Office forecaster Emma Sharples said: “It is looking like we’ll see temperatures increasing day by day over the weekend with Sunday being the warmest.

“On Sunday we could be looking at temperatures in the mid-twenties: 23, 24 even 25C.

“Areas that will see these temperatures will include central and southern parts of England, although there may be some cloud around.”

She warned that people with allergies should take precautions as pollen and UV levels will be high.

The predictions came despite the Met Office yesterday issuing an amber snow alert for parts of the south-east as they basked in sunshine.